Lunchbox construction



Jan. 20, 1959 H. L. BASS 2,

LUNCHBOX CONSTRUCTION I Filed June 8, 195a 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Helen L. Bass INVENTOR.

Y r M Mm Jan. 20, 1959 H. L; BASS 2,869,770

LUNCHBOX CONSTRUCTION I Filed June 8, 1956 2 She ets-Sheet 2 Fig. 4

46 f W /6 WW in 68 44 68 20 20 v 62 66 52 l 52 g as 4 a2 i 32/ 4/ 90/ 68 2a 68 K90 Fig.7

Helen L. Bass IN VEN TOR.

nun Wow fim United States Patent F LUNCHBOX CONSTRUCTION Helen L. Bass, Chicago, 11]., assignor to Amalgamated Bass Prince Inventions,lncorporated, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in containers, and more specifically to an improved lunchbox.

While in many instances it has been desired to produce a lunchbox for children which is relatively inexpensive and eventually disposable, a main problem has been that when a lunchbox is made of a relatively cheap material, such as cardboard, and any matter such as grease and the like is spilled within the container, it becomes unsanitary and is not reusable.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide an improved lunchbox which is formed of a cardboard material and which has an inner lining formed of a suitable foil, preferably aluminum foil, whereby the box is sanitary and may be easily wiped clean with a damp rag so that the box may be reused a plurality of times.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved lunchbox construction which is formed of a relatively inexpensive material, such as cardboard, and is rial having an inner aluminum foil lining which is desirable because of its insulating characteristics.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved lunchbox construction which is formed from a cardboard blank and which has overlapping side portions which are provided with handle forming members, the handle forming members when gripped in one hand retaining a cover of the lunchbox in a closed position.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved lunchbox construction which includes flanges which may be selectively positioned to divide the lunchbox into a plurality of separate and insulated compartments, or which may be folded so as to be disposed at opposite ends of the lunchbox whereby the lunchbox has a single compartment.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

2,869,770 Patented Jan. 20, 1959 2 and shows the general arrangement of the compartments;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 6-6 of Figure 5 and shows the specific details of the material from which the lunchbox is formed; and

Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view similar to Figure 5 and shows the flanges folded to be disposed adjacent the end walls of the lunchbox whereby the box is in the form of a single compartment.

Referring now to Figure l in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a blank from which the lunchbox is formed, the blank being referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The blank 10 includes a centrally disposed bottom wall 12 which is generally rectangular in outline. Integrally connected to the bottom wall 12 by a fold line 14 along a side edge thereof is a side wall portion 16. The side wall portion 16 has integrally connected to opposite ends thereof along fold lines 18 flaps 20. Formed from these side wall portions 16 and hingedly connected thereto along fold lines 22 is a handle forming member 24.

Integrally connected to the opposite side of the bottom wall 22 along a fold line 26 is a side wall 28. Hingedly connected to the side wall 28 at opposite ends thereof along fold line 30 are flaps 32.

Formed integrally with the side wall 28 remote from the bottom wall 12 is a cover or top wall 34. The cover 34 is separated from the side wall 28 by an intermediate portion 36 which is connected to the side wall 28 by a fold line 38 and to the cover 34 by a fold line 40. The purpose of the intermediate portion 36 is to permit the proper bending of the cover 34 with respect to the side wall 28.

Integrally connected to the cover 34 remote from the side wall 28along a fold line 42 is a side wall forming portion 44. The side wall forming portion 44 has formed therefrom a handle forming member 46 which is connected thereto along fold lines 48.

lntegrally connected to opposite ends of the bottom wall 12 along foldlines 50 are end walls 52. Integrally connected to each end wall 52 is an intermediate flap 54, the intermediate flap .54 being separated from its associated end wall '52 by an intermediate portion 56. Each intermediate portion 56 is connected to its associated end wall 52 along a fold line 58 and to its associated intermediate flange 54 along a fold line 6t).

Formed integral with each intermediate flange 54 is an alternate flange 62, the alternate flange 62 being con.- nected tothe intermediate flange 54 along a weakened fold line 64. Also, there is cut from the alternate flange 62 a tab 66 which is integral with the associated intermediate flange 54.

Each of the alternate flanges 62 isprovided with a arated from its alternate flange 62 by means of an intermediate portion '70 to facilitate folding thereof. The

Figure 1 is a plan view of the blank utilized in forming the box which is the subject of this invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the lunchbox as viewed from the bottom thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the sectional line 3-3 of Figure 2 and shows the specific details of the construction of the box including the details of the handle forming members;

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 4-4 of Figure 3 and shows the manner in which the blank may be folded to form a lunchbox having a plurality of separate compartments;

Figure 5 is an enlarged view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 5-5 of Figure 4 intermediate portion 70 of each of the flaps 68 is connected to its alternate flange 62 along a fold line 72 and to its flap 68 along a fold line 74.

Referring now to Figure 6 in particular, it will be seen that the blank 10 is formed from cardboard material which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 76. The cardboard material 76 includes an outer layer 78 and an inner layer 80. The layers 78 and 80 are disposed in spaced relation and connected together by a corrugated intermediate layer 82. Formed on the inner face of the inner layer 80 is a lining 84 which is preferably in the form of an aluminum coil.

Referring now to Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a lunchbox construction which i referred to in general by the reference numeral 86. The lunch-box 86 is formed from the blank 10 and is generally rectangular in outline. It is to be noted that When the blank 10 is properly folded, the side wall forming portion 44 is disposed inwardly of the side Wall forming portion 16 and the handle forming membersl24 and 46 extend outwardly therefrom in converging relation. Thus when the handle forming members 24 and 46 are .propefly gripped, they retain the cover 34 inits proper position.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5 in particular, it will be seen that the interior of the lunchbox 36 is divided into a narrow central compartment 38 and outer compartments 90. This is accomplished by permitting the intermediate flange 54 to be horizontally disposed intermediate thecover 34 and its associated alternate flange 62 to be disposed normal to the bottom wall '12 of the cover 34. Thus the alternate flanges 62 form partitions inthe interior of the lunchbox 86.

Inasmuch as theflanges 54- and 62 are insulated, it will be seen that the compartments 88 and 90 are in sulated with respect to each other so that, if desired, warm foods may be carried in one of the compartments and relatively cold foods may be carried in the other. of the compartments.

When it is desire-d to utilize all of the interior space of the lunchbox 86, .it may be in the form of a single compartment. This is accomplished by reversely folding the alternate flange 62 upon the intermediate flange 54 permitting the two to be disposed normal to the bottom wall 12 of the cover 34, as is best illustrated in Figure 7. The flanges 54 and 62 are retained in this position by passing'the tabs 66 of each of the intermediate flanges 54 through a suitableslot 92 formed in the bottom wall 12.

From the foregoing description-of the lunchbox 86, it .will be readily apparent that there has been devised a lunchbox which may be utilized by school children and the like and which is so constructed while it is formed of relatively inexpensive material, it has the desired insulating qualities. Further, inasmuch as the insulation oftthelunchbox 86 stems, primarily from the use of cardboard With an aluminum foil lining, it will be readily apparent that the lunchbox 86 is sanitary. Also, it may be reused inasmuch as the aluminum foil lining may be wiped with a damp rag or the like for the purposes of cleaning the lunchbox 86. When used by school children, the lunchbox 86 may be folded to a flat state after use and carried home with ones books or the like in a convenient manner.

While the lunchbox 86 has been primarily described for use by. school children, the invention is not so limited in use. If desired, it may be used, for packing hot lunches, and boxed lunches for picnics and the like.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles 'of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in theart, it is not desired to limit the invention 4 to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A lunchbox construction comprising a generally rectangular box including an'integral hingedly disposed cover and end walls, extensions on said end walls extending into said box and dividing said box into a plurality of separate compartments, each ofsaid extensions including a wide compartment covering intermediate flange and a partition forming ultimate flange, said extensions defining two outer enclosed compartments, said partition forming ultimate flanges defining a central open compartment.

2. A lunchbox construction comprising a generally rectangular box including an integral hingedly disposed cover and end walls, extensions on said end walls extending into said box and dividing said box into a plurality of separate compartments, each of said extensions including a wide compartment covering intermediate flange and a partition forming ultimate flange,said extensions definingtwo outer enclosed compartments, said partition forming ultimate flanges defining av central open compartment, the interior of said box having an aluminum foil lining whereby said box is both insulated and sanitary, said extensions having aluminum foil lining whereby said compartments are insulated relative to each other.

3. A lunchbox construction comprising a generally rectangular box including an integral hingedly disposed cover and end walls, extension on said end walls extending into said box and dividing said box into a plurality of separate compartments, each of said extensions includ ing a wide compartment covering intermediate flange and a partition forming ultimate flange, said extensions defining two outer enclosed compartments, said partition forming ultimate flanges defining a centralopen compartment, said box including a bottom wall, a first side wall portion integrally connected to said bottom wall, a second side wall portion carried by said cover, said,first andsecond Side Wall portion .beingin overlappedrelation, said side wall portions having handle forming members disposed in adjacent relation andv retaining said cover in a closed position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,217,503 Bergstein Oct. 8, 1.940 2,235,800 Daly Mar. 18, 1941 2,319,919 Clark May 25, 1943 2,488,121 Greve Nov. 15, 1949 2,637,484 Buttery May 5, 1953 2,658,661 Aquino Nov. 10, 1953 2,707,587 Wittstein May 3, 1955 

